
Breadcrumbs
EU solar power hits new record peak this summer
New analysis by energy think tank Ember reveals that, for the first time, solar panels generated a tenth of EU-27 electricity during their peak months of June and July this year.
About
Ember analysed electricity generation in the EU-27 in June and July 2021, compared to the same period in previous years.
Executive summary
New record peak this summer
Europe lead, Ember
Europe has had a record-breaking summer for solar power, but it is yet to harness its full potential. The cost of solar power has tumbled in the last decade and we are seeing the first signs of Europe’s solar revolution in countries like Spain, the Netherlands, Hungary and even coal-heavy Poland. However, there is a long way to go before solar provides more power than fossil fuels, even in the height of Europe’s summer sun. Weather extremes across Europe this summer have given governments an urgent wake-up call and now they must turn climate targets into climate action by stepping up solar deployment.

Key findings
Solar trends in Europe
Conclusion
EU yet to harness solar potential
Europe has had a record-breaking summer for solar power, but it is yet to harness its full potential.
The cost of solar power has tumbled in the last decade and we are seeing the first signs of Europe’s solar revolution in countries like Spain, the Netherlands, Hungary and even coal-heavy Poland.
However, there is a long way to go before solar provides more power than fossil fuels, even in the height of Europe’s summer sun.
Despite recent gains, the EU’s electricity generation from solar panels still remains less than coal power plants.
Now governments must turn climate targets into climate action by stepping up solar deployment.
News coverage
- International: Financial Times, Reuters
- Regional: Euractiv, EU Observer, PV Magazine
- Germany: RTL, FinanzNachrichten
- Spain: El Boletín
- Poland: Rzeczpospolita, Wirtualna Polska, 300Gospodarka, RMF 24
- Portugal: Observador, Noticias Ao Minuto, Sapo
- Netherlands: NU NL
- Belgium: Het Nieuwsblad, RTBF, Le Soir
- Ireland: RTÉ
- UK: Daily Mail,
- Turkey: Haberler
- Russia: Lenta, Вести
- China: East Money
- India: Economic Times
- Malaysia: The Star Online
- Vietnam: Vietnam Biz, Vietnam+
- United States: Nasdaq
- Canada: The Financial Post